Theoretical Foundation of Nursing - How do nursing theories guide ethical decision-
making and patient care?
Titles of Nursing Theories
1. Florence Nightingale: The Lady with the Lamp
2. Virginia Henderson: The Nightingale of Modern
Nursing
3. Faye Glenn Abdellah: Pioneer in Nursing Research
4. Jean Watson: Theorist of Caring Science
5. Madeline Leininger: Mother of Transcultural
Nursing
6. Nola Pender: Health Promotion Model Pioneer
7. Hildegard Peplau: Mother of Psychiatric Nursing
8. Ida Jean Orlando: Developer of the Nursing Process
Theory
9. Callista Roy: Nursing Theorist and Educator
10. Dorothea Orem: Theorist of Self-Care
11. Imogene King: Theorist of Goal Attainment
12. Martha Rogers: Pioneer of Unitary Human Beings
Theory
13. Betty Neuman: Theorist of the Neuman Systems
Model
14. Patricia Benner: Expert in Nursing Skill
Acquisition
15. Dorothy Johnson: Behavioral System Model
Theorist
16. Lydia Eloise Hall: Creator of the Three Cs Theory
17. Joyce Travelbee: Advocate for Human-to-Human
Relationship in Nursing
1. Introduction and Background:
- Can you briefly summarize the key concepts and
principles covered in the Theoretical Foundation of
Nursing course?
- How do these theoretical foundations contribute to
the practice of nursing?
2. Nursing Theories:
- Discuss the significance of Florence Nightingale's
environmental theory in modern nursing practice.
- Can you compare and contrast the major components
of Virginia Henderson's "14 Basic Needs" theory and
Jean Watson's "Theory of Human Caring"?
3. Critical Thinking and Application:
- Provide an example of how you would apply Betty
Neuman's "Systems Model" to assess and intervene with
a patient experiencing multiple stressors.
- How might Dorothea Orem's "Self-Care Deficit
Theory" be utilized in developing a care plan for a
patient with chronic illness?
- Describe how you would incorporate evidence-based
practice principles into the implementation of nursing
theories in a clinical setting.
4. Professional Development:
- How do nursing theories influence your personal
philosophy of nursing?
- Discuss the importance of continuing education and
professional development for nurses in relation to
understanding and applying nursing theories.
- How might you advocate for the integration of
nursing theory into nursing practice within your future
career?
5. Reflection and Self-Assessment:
- Reflect on a situation from your clinical experiences
where you observed nursing theory being applied
effectively. What did you learn from this experience?
- Identify areas where you feel you need further
development in understanding and applying nursing
theories. How do you plan to address these areas?
SAMPLE ANSWERS
1. Introduction and Background:
- The Theoretical Foundation of Nursing course
teaches us the basic ideas and theories that nurses use in
their work. These theories help us understand how to
take care of people better and make good decisions.
2. Nursing Theories:
- Florence Nightingale's theory says that a clean and
comfortable environment helps patients heal. Virginia
Henderson's theory talks about helping patients with
their basic needs, like eating and feeling safe. Jean
Watson's theory focuses on treating patients with
kindness and understanding. Nursing theories give
nurses guidelines for making ethical decisions and
caring for patients by helping them understand
principles like compassion, fairness, and respecting
patient autonomy.
3. Critical Thinking and Application:
- Betty Neuman's theory helps us understand how
people deal with stress. We can use it to help patients
cope better. Dorothea Orem's theory helps us figure out
how much help patients need to take care of themselves.
Evidence-based practice means using the best
information to help patients in the right way.
4. Professional Development:
- Nursing theories shape how I see my job. Learning
more about nursing and staying updated is important for
giving the best care. Advocating for nursing theories
means showing others why they're important for helping
patients.
5. Reflection and Self-Assessment:
- I saw a nurse use Jean Watson's theory to comfort a
patient during chemotherapy. I want to learn more about
how nursing theories can be helpful in different
situations. I also want to get better at thinking critically
and talking about nursing ideas.
NURSING THEORIES
1. Florence Nightingale
- Theory: Environmental Theory
- Birth/Death: May 12, 1820 – August 13, 1910
- Overview: Emphasizes the significance of a clean
and supportive environment in promoting healing and
health.
2. Virginia Henderson
- Theory: Definition of Nursing
- Birth/Death: November 30, 1897 – March 19, 1996
- Overview: Defines nursing as assisting individuals to
gain independence in meeting their basic needs.
3. Faye Glenn Abdellah
- Theory: Twenty-One Nursing Problems
- Birth/Death: March 13, 1919 – February 24, 2017
- Overview: Focuses on comprehensive nursing care
by identifying and solving twenty-one nursing
problems.
4. Jean Watson
- Theory: Theory of Human Caring
- Birth/Death: June 10, 1940 – Present
- Overview: Highlights the importance of the nurse-
patient relationship and caring as a core component of
nursing.
5. Madeline Leininger
- Theory: Culture Care Theory
- Birth/Death: July 13, 1925 – August 10, 2012
- Overview: Emphasizes the necessity of considering
cultural factors in nursing care to provide culturally
congruent care.
6. Nola Pender
- Theory: Health Promotion Model
- Birth/Death: August 16, 1941 – Present
- Overview: Focuses on promoting health and
preventing illness through individual characteristics and
experiences.
7. Hildegard Peplau
- Theory: Interpersonal Relations Theory
- Birth/Death: September 1, 1909 – March 17, 1999
- Overview: Centers on the therapeutic nurse-patient
relationship and the nurse's role in assisting patients in
achieving their goals.
8. Ida Jean Orlando
- Theory: Nursing Process Theory
- Birth/Death: August 12, 1926 – Present
- Overview: Focuses on the nurse-patient interaction
and the use of the nursing process to meet the patient's
immediate needs.
9. Callista Roy
- Theory: Adaptation Mode
- Birth/Death: October 14, 1939 – Present
- Overview: Explores how individuals and groups
adapt to changes in health and the environment through
the nursing process.
10. Dorothea Orem
- Theory: Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory
 - Birth/Death: July 15, 1914 – June 22, 2007
- Overview: Proposes that nursing is required when
an individual is unable to meet their self-care needs.
11. Imogene King
- Theory: Goal Attainment Theory
- Birth/Death: January 30, 1923 – December 24, 2007
- Overview: Focuses on the nurse and patient working
together to achieve mutually set goals.
12. Martha Rogers
- Theory: Science of Unitary Human Beings
- Birth/Death: May 12, 1914 – March 13, 1994
- Overview: Views individuals as holistic energy
fields inseparable from their environment.
13. Betty Neuman
- Theory: Neuman Systems Model
- Birth/Death: September 11, 1924 – May 17, 2015
- Overview: Describes the individual as a system
constantly interacting with stressors in the environment.
14. Patricia Benner
- Theory: Novice to Expert Theory
- Birth/Death: March 10, 1942 – Present
- Overview: Describes five stages of nursing
proficiency from novice to expert.
15. Dorothy Johnson
- Theory: Behavioral System Model
- Birth/Death: August 21, 1919 – February 11, 1999
- Overview: Views the patient as a behavioral system
with specific drives and tendencies.
16. Lydia Eloise Hall
- Theory: Care, Core, Cure Theory
- Birth/Death: September 21, 1906 – February 27,
1969
- Overview: Emphasizes the importance of care, core
factors, and cure factors in the nursing process.
17. Joyce Travelbee
- Theory: Human-to-Human Relationship Model
- Birth/Death: January 18, 1926 – June 2, 1973
- Overview: Focuses on the therapeutic relationship
between the nurse and the patient, highlighting empathy
and understanding.
Medical Glossary
1. Question: Reflect on the importance of medical
terminology in nursing practice.
Answer: Medical terminology is crucial for
clear communication, accurate documentation, and
ensuring patient safety.
2. *Question: Describe a scenario where understanding
medical terminology helped in patient care.
Answer: Understanding medical terminology
prevents errors and ensures proper patient care by
interpreting medical orders and charts accurately.
3. Question: Compare and contrast the use of medical
terminology in different healthcare settings, such as
hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities.
Answer: While medical terms are consistent,
their depth of use varies across healthcare settings based
on specialty and patient population.
4. Question: Reflect on the evolution of medical
terminology in the modern world with advancements in
technology and medicine.
Answer: Medical terminology evolves with
technology and medicine, introducing new terms related
to telemedicine, genomics, and imaging.
5. Question: Discuss the role of medical glossaries and
reference materials in expanding one's understanding of
medical terminology.
Answer: Medical glossaries are valuable
references for learning and understanding medical
terms, aiding in mastery and application.
6. Question: Reflect on the importance of continuous
learning and adaptation to changes in medical
terminology throughout one's nursing career.
Answer: Continuous learning is vital in
nursing to stay updated with medical advancements and
changes in terminology, ensuring high-quality patient
care.